by Hyougetsu
“As you wish.”
The people of Krauhen had a saying. “Salt in a pan can’t be recovered.”
I had put the large chunk of salt known as Krauhen into the massive pan that was this witch. And now I could no longer reverse that decision. No matter what dish came of it, I would have to eat it all. I need to prepare myself.
※Bowlength is a Rolmund unit of measurement. One bowlength is roughly the effective range of a Rolmund longbow, which happens to be about 100 meters.
* * * *
I sat on the villa’s rooftop, listening in on Eleora and Belken’s conversation. The person Belken had seen from the window had been Jerrick, not me. How do you like my ninja werewolf substitution technique? I was from a country of ninjas, so simple tricks like this were child’s play for me. Though it was Jerrick who was actually doing the work. The only problem now was that there was so much movement within the villa that it wouldn’t be easy to slip out unnoticed. What a chore. Guess I’ll wait for things to settle down a little then use magic to escape.
Regardless, it seemed as though Rolmund would pose quite a threat in the near future. If I killed Eleora here, I might be able to delay the invasion somewhat. But that would cause its own problems. Killing her would mean throwing away any chance of a diplomatic resolution. I wanted to leave as many options open as possible for now. Plus she’d mentioned a few worrying points in her introduction, such as the fact that she was the sixth princess, and an “auxiliary” one, whatever that meant. And she’d even said there were plenty of replacements for her. She hadn’t sounded like she was lying, so there were probably plenty of replacement commanders for someone of Eleora’s status. Man, what a scary country.
I waited in the chilly night air until I was sure there was no one nearby, then absconded from the villa. Though this trip had given me a lot of valuable information, I kind of wish I hadn’t had to sit out in the cold so much. If only I’d brought a blanket with me...
“Boss, over here.”
I met up with Jerrick at the designated rendezvous point. Mao and Kite were there as well. It looked like everyone had escaped safely.
“There’s been a bunch of shady people moving around. Let’s get outta here.”
“Yeah, sounds good. There’s a lot I need to tell the council.”
Hearing that, Mao sighed, “Allow me to hazard a guess. I will no longer be able to purchase salt from this city, will I?”
Good guess. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll get you your Beluzan saltpans.
We trekked south through the night, stopping only when we reached the relative safety of Welheim. However, even then, we didn’t enter the city. Instead, we waited on the road while Mao went ahead and met up with the other members of his caravan. Fortunately, they were able to provide us with a covered wagon and fresh blankets.
“Mao, did you prepare all of this stuff beforehand?”
“Unlike you werewolves, us humans can’t run all the way from Krauhen to Zaria in a single night. There’s jerky and bread as well if you’re hungry.”
We piled into the wagon and finally were able to rest for a short while. However—
“Hey Mao, scoot over.”
“You realize who provided this wagon for you, don’t you, Jerrick? If you’re feeling cramped, I suggest stretching your legs toward Kite.”
“Wait, then I won’t have any room! Why’s this wagon so tiny anyway!?”
“Because I used the larger ones to store as much salt as I could.”
“You goddamn greedy merchant!”
These guys’ arguing was making it hard to sleep. Try to get along you guys, I’m too tired for this...
Thankfully, Rolmund’s soldiers didn’t pursue us, and we were safely able to return to Zaria, and from there to Ryunheit. I called an emergency council meeting the moment I returned and told the Commonwealth’s viceroys what I’d learned.
“Rolmund, eh? All I know about ‘em is what I read in some old records,” Petore, the oldest human viceroy, said with a frown. Veira’s viceroy, Forne nodded in response.
“Even the information we’ve gathered from the north has little to say on Rolmund. And I have most certainly expended all of my resources in gathering information.”
Everyone pooled together what little they knew about Rolmund. After patching together all the information we had, we were able to get an overall picture of the state of the empire. Three hundred years ago, Rolmund had been a republic ruled by a Senate. Slavery had also been legal, and the citizens of northern Meraldia were descendants of Rolmund’s slaves. Unfortunately, we had little to no information detailing how it turned into the empire it is now. Melaine sat at the edge of the table, thinking quietly. Oh yeah, Melaine used to live in the north back when she was human, didn’t she?
“When I was a child, people often talked about how travelers had stopped crossing the mountains. It seems there used to be at least some contact between the empire and Meraldia until then.”
“How long ago was— Owww!”
Firnir attempted to ask a somewhat rude question, and was met with a noogie before she could finish. You reap what you sow. After she finished punishing Firnir, Melaine muttered, “Even among vampires, there aren’t many people who’ve lived longer than a century. F-For the record, I haven’t either.”
Since all the other vampires are your familiars, isn’t it practically a guarantee that you’re the oldest? In the end, we still had almost no information, so our first priority was gathering intel.
“I’ve got spies in Krauhen, Draulight, and the three cities ya demons conquered. I’ll scrounge up a few more trustworthy lads and send them to the other cities.”
Thanks to Lotz’s financial prowess, Petore could afford to keep an entire retinue of spies on payroll. Garsh nodded and added, “I’ve got a few boys scoping out the north too, so hopefully I’ll get some useful info soon.”
That was reassuring to hear, but there was one other thing we couldn’t forget.
“The girl who called herself Eleora said she had no intention to interfere with the Commonwealth, but she definitely shouldn’t be trusted.”
It’d be best if we strengthened each city’s defenses.
“I’d like to focus on especially bolstering the defenses of the four cities that border the north. Would the four southern cities be willing to provide military aid to them?”
“Of course. Shardier will send all the supplies and troops it can spare.”
Aram, who’d lost a great deal of weight recently, eagerly agreed to my proposal. The viceroys of the three other cities nodded as well. While we were discussing particulars, Shatina cocked her head and asked, “But Master, won’t the north be entering the snowy season soon? I don’t know too much about snow, but isn’t it difficult to move troops through?”
Good question.
“Places like Krauhen get enough snow to bury a man whole during winter. So you’re right, moving troops in winter is no mean feat. However, Rolmund’s army has numerous magical tools at their disposal. It’s possible they might be able to swiftly traverse snow, so we can’t let our guard down.”
Until we had a better idea of Rolmund’s technological capabilities, we couldn’t assume snow would protect us.
“Plus, the further south you go, the less snow there is. Rolmund’s army is used to fighting in snow, so the paltry amounts they get near Vongang and the like probably aren’t even an obstacle to them.”
“You have a point there. We should assume they’re highly familiar with snow warfare.”
Airia nodded, then added, “We cannot impact Rolmund’s forces directly at this juncture, but we should build up our forces and prepare for war. I recommend every city improve their walls and prepare for a siege.”
Garsh nodded in agreement.
“You got it. We should set up a relay system so we can send emergency aid. I’ll give Ryunheit a few more soldiers, so make use of them.”
Are we about to get another influx of mohawk dudes?
<
br /> * * * *
—Mao’s Expectations—
Let us rewind time and go back to the point where Veight was investigating Krauhen’s abandoned mine shafts. Mao and Kite, who had remained behind at the inn, were glaring at each other.
“Oi, what’re your lackeys up to? I don’t see them anywhere.”
The Senate’s investigator, Kite, gives me a suspicious look. It’s a personal rule of mine to tell the truth when lying doesn’t benefit me, so I see no reason to deceive him.
“When you arrived, I had my men return to the south. It’s no longer safe here, and I lack the leverage to protect them.”
Since Veight has come here in person I have no doubt he’s about to cause an uproar. Kite seems taken aback at my response.
“You evacuated them? What a surprise.”
“And what exactly is surprising about that?”
“I just figured knowing you, you’d have no qualms about abandoning your subordinates...”
How rude.
“There’s nothing I despise more than cowards who abandon their employees.”
“Yeah, this really is a surprise...”
You really need to learn some manners. I don’t really want to have one of my allies misunderstanding who I am, especially not one who used to work for the Senate. I believe an explanation is in order.
“In my youth, I was treated as a disposable pawn by one of my employers and eventually cast aside.”
“You were?”
Please stop doubting everything I say. I wasn’t born a crafty merchant, you know.
“Did you never find it strange that my name is Mao?”
“Hm? Oh yeah, I guess Mao’s not a Ryunheit name. Were you born in Shardier?”
I smile sadly in response.
“No, I’m not from Meraldia. I was born in a different nation. One that lies far to the east of the Windswept Dunes.”
At that, Kite’s gaze grows suspicious again.
“So you stirred up trouble in your homeland and had to flee to Meraldia?”
“You could say that. I was unwittingly roped into a drug smuggling operation without my knowledge. Had I been caught in my homeland I would have been executed, so I fled all the way to Ryunheit.”
Ever since then, I’ve been meticulously thorough in ensuring no supplier tries to sneak in contraband among my merchandise. Experience has taught me that white powder inside a salt jar may not necessarily be salt. Not even when that salt jar has been handed to me by my employer. At least I learned a valuable lesson that day. Though I paid quite a high price to learn it.
“My old employer was a wealthy merchant who made his fortune smuggling drugs. Publicly, he was revered as an ally of the common man, and a merchant with impeccable business acumen. But I know he’s an unfeeling monster who’ll throw away his men without a second thought.”
“I... see.”
Kite’s words sound quite somber. I’ve heard that he suffered a similar fate at the hands of the Senate. Considering how corrupt they’ve become, I can easily see how a man of integrity like him could be a liability.
“Because of that, I made a vow that I would never treat my own men like pawns. I’ll be the one to take on truly dangerous missions such as these.”
“You’re a corrupt merchant aren’t you, why do you care so much about them?”
“Even corrupt merchants have their pride.”
This is one thing I will never back down on. If I break this vow, I’ll be no better than the disgusting merchants I despise. Kite nods in admiration and says, “Then how about you stop bribing people and become an honest merchant?”
I sigh.
“You truly are a naive little man.”
“Hey, that’s uncalled for! And I finally started respecting you a little.”
“You will never understand.”
This is why I prefer making deals with our esteemed werewolf general. He possesses unparalleled strength and authority, knows when to be cautious and when to be bold, and most of all, is a truly kind man at his core. The perfect balance of attributes needed to be an effective leader.
“Fufu...”
“Oi, what’re you laughing at?”
“Oh, nothing. Now then, I suppose we should get ready to depart.”
Kite cocks his head as I start packing my belongings.
“But Veight and his friend haven’t returned yet.”
This man really doesn’t understand a thing. I sigh again.
“Seeing as he’s come here in person, it’s clear as day there’s going to be a huge uproar. You need to be more perceptive, or you’ll die an early death.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Veight is one hell of a werewolf. It doesn’t matter if he’s up against the Senate, a viceroy, or the Hero himself, he’ll beat down anyone in his way and get what he wants. As a merchant, his reckless ways cause me no end of trouble, but there’s also a part of me that wants to see how far he’ll go.
“He is Ryunheit’s Black Werewolf King, and the Demon Lord’s representative after all. Though he is quite a handful.”
“If he’s that much of pain to deal with, why’re you grinning like that?”
“I am not. Now get dressed. If you go out like that you’ll freeze to death. I have a spare mountain hare hide coat, so wear that. Not only is it warm, but it will also help you blend into the darkness.”
“O-Oh, thanks.”
Seeing Kite’s hesitation as he picks up the luxurious coat makes me want to tease him a little.
“That’ll be a hundred seventy silver coins, please.”
“O-One hundred and seventy!? Wait, you’re charging me for this!? I thought we were allies!?”
“I don’t recall allying with a straight-laced inspector such as yourself, but I suppose if you’re willing to ally yourself with me I can provide it for free.”
“You just want me to take your bribes!”
Now then, what ridiculous antics will our esteemed werewolf general show me next?
This year, like every other year, winter came to Meraldia. One day, Mao came into my office with an exasperated look on his face.
“The Senate has banned the sale of sea salt within the north. They claim they don’t want to let their enemies profit off them.”
“Are you serious? But Krauhen’s not providing them rock salt either. How are the citizens going to get their salt?”
Mao shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve heard rumors, but I’m sure our Senate informant knows the full story.”
Kite sat off to one side, blowing hard on his cup of green tea. Guess he’s got a sensitive tongue. Though he’d secretly betrayed his employers, it seemed the Senate regarded him highly as “the only man capable of negotiating on even terms with the Black Werewolf King.” It was funny how little they knew. Kite took a sip of his tea and replied, “Krauhen softened their stance. They said they would be willing to forget about the Werewolf Slayer incident. But in return, they demanded control over the salt trade.”
“So that’s why the north’s banned importing salt and is buying only rock salt from Krauhen.”
The north didn’t actually import much salt, so the gesture was more a formality acknowledging Krauhen’s authority than anything. However, the fact that Krauhen was in league with Rolmund changed everything. Mao munched on a cookie and said in a grave voice, “Since the Senate is no longer importing salt from the south, they’re beholden to Krauhen. If Krauhen betrayed the Senate right now...”
Meraldia’s northern cities would have no salt. The amount of salt showing up in various northern marketplaces was already beginning to decrease. Chances were they didn’t have much salt stockpiled. I was worried about how that would impact the lives of civilians, but there wasn’t much I could do from here.
“Furthermore, Bahen and Aryoug are the granaries of the north. If they betray the Senate along with Krauhen, the Meraldian Federation is all but finished.”
“
Especially since the majority of the Senate’s army is situated in Schverm. I have no idea what Schverm’s plans are, but if they capitulate to Rolmund as well...” Kite trailed off.
“Dividing cities based on function ended up backfiring on the Senate,” Mao replied with a sardonic smile. He clearly wanted the Senate to fall. I smiled to Kite and said, “So, honorable inspector who fears for the fate of the north, why have you come here today?”
“The Senate wanted me to give you this letter. It’s proof of their desire for friendship, or so they say.”
They probably just want to flatter me into isolating myself from my allies. Kite unfolded the letter and summarized its contents.
“Looks like they want to give you a palace in Ioro Lange to use as an embassy for diplomatic relations. Supposedly it’s staffed by twenty beautiful women.”
“No thanks.”
I’d much rather take a one-room apartment with internet access and an air conditioner over a palace. Mao shrugged his shoulders.
“They just want you to accept so they can start spreading rumors that you’re secretly colluding with the north. Am I right?”
“Yeah,” Kite replied sulkily. It seemed he was fed up by how juvenile the Senate’s attempts were.
“Of course the Senate thinks their plan to drive wedges between the Southern Commonwealth is progressing smoothly. Since that’s what I’m reporting to them.”
“Thanks. You’re doing a good job.”
I actually felt a little bad for making Kite turn traitor, considering how much integrity he had.
At this time of year, Krauhen was buried in snow. We were only in trouble if they’d already finished their tunnel to Rolmund, but I didn’t have enough information to know for sure whether they had or not.
“The Senate doesn’t suspect anything?”
“They do, but nobody wants to be the first to admit they’ve overlooked something.”